Children's Home, Residential special school run by Kisimul Group Limited in Lincolnshire

SC034241 Unique reference number 20 July 2009 Inspection date Mick Walklin Inspector Key Type of Inspection

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16 December 2008 Date of last inspection .

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241

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Brief description of the service

The school was founded in 1977 and is registered as a Children's Home. It offers placements 52 weeks a year to children with severe learning disabilities, autism and challenging behaviour. The school is situated in a rural village and is one of two schools owned by the company. It caters mainly for young people up to the age of 16 with the senior school situated near a small market town some miles away. The residential accommodation is mainly in a two storey Georgian house, which is set within four acres of grounds. The main building provides 22 places with two satellite houses providing an additional eight and seven places respectively. Education is provided in a separate building situated on site, as are other facilities including a heated swimming pool, a large adventure playground, a soft play area and a multi-sensory room.

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Summary

At this announced full inspection, all key standards were inspected.

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Summary

Overall, this is a good service with many outstanding features. Young people receive excellent individual support when they need it through an effective key worker system and high staffing ratios. A close working relationship between education and residential staff ensures that young people achieve and develop. Staff are skilled at managing severely challenging behaviour and communicate effectively with young people that use non-verbal communication. Individual Pupil Care Plans are of a very high standard providing staff with clear guidance for delivering care. The school has a very strong commitment to staff development with an excellent training programme available. Young people's welfare is protected although one significant incident reported to Ofsted orally was not confirmed in writing as required. The overall quality rating is good. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were no actions or recommendations from the previous inspection in December 2008.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Young people enjoy healthy and nutritious meals that meet their dietary needs. Catering staff plan menus around nutritional guidelines with meals being freshly prepared. Menus are varied with Halal, Caribbean and salad options available. Special diets such as gluten free and nut free are available. Young people that choose to eat a restrictive diet have their nutritional intake monitored closely and staff are skilled in dealing with the specialist nutritional problems that young people with autism present. A parent commented, 'The school takes healthy living very seriously. My son had a very limited diet but now he eats most things'. Risk factors prevent young people having free access to snacks and drinks but staff ensure that these are offered at regular intervals. Choice is encouraged by the use of symbols and objects of reference for those young people with communication difficulties.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good health is promoted and health needs are identified through Individual Pupil Care Plans (IPCP). A healthy and active lifestyle is encouraged through the school curriculum and leisure programme. Parents commented on the 'excellent care for children's general health'. Staff 4 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241 receive first aid training to enable them to deal with minor injuries and illnesses and there is a good relationship with local NHS services. Medication procedures and storage facilities are robust. Medication is only administered by senior staff that have received appropriate training. Annual refresher training is provided, together with additional training from local Hospital Trust nurses in the administration of emergency medication used in the treatment of epilepsy. Medication administration records are printed for clarity and fully completed. There are clear procedures for the administration of household remedies, a list of which has been agreed by a

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Most young people using the service require high levels of support and supervision. Staff ensure that young people's privacy is respected, especially when assisting with personal or intimate care. Staff are also aware of the need to supervise more independent young people discretely in a way that maintains their privacy. No surveillance is used although a movement sensor is fitted in one bedroom but this is currently inoperative. Personal records are securely stored in the staff office. Staff have a good awareness of their responsibilities for maintaining confidentiality and this subject is covered during their induction.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people and parents have good information about how to complain, which is available in accessible formats such a symbols and easy-read. Complaints are well documented and cross referenced with other documentation. Most young people using the service have significant communication difficulties. Staff recognise the importance of noting changes in behaviour and they use their knowledge of the young person as an indicator to judge if they are unhappy. A parent commented, 'Complaints are dealt with promptly and feedback is given to parents'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are protected by robust safeguarding, anti-bullying and missing persons procedures. All staff attend safeguarding training and have a sound knowledge of the procedures to follow if they have concerns. Senior staff receive more detailed training. The designated person for safeguarding issues is based at the other school site to provide impartiality in decision making. Although bullying is not identified as a problem, staff are aware of the need to monitor the relationships between young people closely. Staff are vigilant in recording any marks or bruising noticed, using body maps. Significant incidents have been referred on to the appropriate authorities where applicable. However, despite informing Ofsted orally, one notification was not followed up in writing as required. Most young people using the service have a lack of understanding about common hazards in the community such as road safety. They receive high

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

levels of supervision and are escorted at all times when out. Gardens and play areas are fully enclosed by a boundary fence. Comments from parents and social workers included, 'Personal safety is paramount. Excellent staffing enables problems like self injurious behaviour to be managed', and 'I completely trust the school relating to staying safe'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people are assisted to develop socially acceptable behaviour. Parents and social workers praise the progress that young people with severely challenging behaviour have made. Comments included, 'Since living at the school his behaviour has improved dramatically', and 'Lots of progress has been made especially around behaviour management'. A social worker said, 'My young person can exhibit extreme challenging behaviours. The school has been effective in both managing this behaviour as well as exploring ways of working that mean that these behaviours occur less often. The service has enabled the young person to become much calmer 5 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241 and consequently to increase his skills further'. Because of the nature of the service there are high levels of physical interventions and time out which are well recorded. Excellent behavioural plans provide staff with clear guidance about management strategies. A 'low arousal' approach

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

features prominently when dealing with incidents and staff recognise when to back off during incidents to allow the young person space to calm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people's health and safety is promoted by robust procedures. Regular fire and health and safety checks are conducted to ensure that the environment is safe. All servicing records inspected are up to date. New staff are vetted prior to being employed with appropriate checks and references being obtained. All visitors to the school are asked for identification and sign the visitors book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Young people receive excellent individual support when they need it. An effective key worker system and high staffing levels ensure that individual needs are met. Where a young person has significant communication difficulties, staff are skilled at interpreting what they may be saying through their behaviour. Communication aids such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) are used extensively throughout the school. Staff receive specific training to enable them to communicate with young people with learning disabilities, such as Makaton signing. Staffing levels enable young people to receive one to one support. Parents value the progress that young people make, both socially and academically. One commented, 'The school gives consistency allowing students to feel secure and settle into a good routine. I am extremely happy with my son's placement'. Young people's preferred routines and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication needs are clearly documented in their IPCP, together with details about how person care should be delivered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young people attend the independent special school situated in a separate building on site. Parents and social workers praised educational opportunities and excellent teaching. One parent said, 'My son has been allowed to blossom'. There is excellent communication between educational and residential staff with residential staff supporting teaching staff for periods during the school day. Weekly team meetings are attended by both the Head and Head of Care and there are effective handovers at the beginning and end of the school day. Educational objectives are set out in IPCPs and all young people have Statements of Educational Needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Young people have their needs fully assessed and staff have clear guidelines about how to meet those needs. IPCPs are of an extremely high standard. They contain detailed information in a concise and easy to read format and are regularly reviewed. They clearly identify young people's preferences relating to activities of daily living. Parents and social workers say that they are consulted about plans and risk assessments and receive comprehensive written reports about progress. Key workers prepare progress reports for reviews and young people are supported to attend if this is judged to be appropriate. However, most would find this too stressful.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Key workers are responsible for promoting contact with families and keeping them updated. Social networks are identified in IPCPs and young people are supported with telephone contact 6 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241 to their families. A designated visitors room is available which parents say is of great benefit as it allows them to spend quality time in private with their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are introduced to the service in a way that meets their needs. Parents and young people are invited to visit and staff will then conduct a pre-admission assessment. Young people are supported to prepare for their move, for example by the use of photographs. Temporary care plans know as Vital Pupil Information (VPI) are put in place for the first three months whilst the IPCP is developed. Staff say that VPIs provide good information about the young person's needs. A social worker commented, 'When in the planning stage for the admission, the school responded immediately to my request for a separate visit by their staff at his current placement for observation and familiarisation'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young people are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their daily lives in ways appropriate to their abilities and understanding. Extensive use of alternative communication strategies allows young people with non-verbal communication to exercise choice and express their views. More formal consultation is conducted through a 'Pupil View' survey twice a year. Questionnaires are also sent out to parents, social workers, general practitioners and Local Education Authorities.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

The provision is outstanding. Young people are supported in their transition to adulthood. Most will move to the senior school on the other site where organisations such as Connexions would be involved in transition planning. Staff work extensively to assist young people to develop independence skills. The (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) Pathways to Independence and Towards Independence curriculum is used extensively. Young people are actively involved in household and self-care tasks according to individual risk assessments with staff using techniques such as hand over hand to develop young people's skills. A parent commented, 'Since my son started the school the improvements have been dramatic. We would have never believed that he could do the things he now does'. A social worker said, 'The school works at an appropriate level to enable young people to maximise skills to the best of their ability'.

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Achieving economic wellbeing

Young people enjoy homely accommodation, decorated, furnished and maintained to an excellent standard with sufficient space to meet their needs. Furnishings are of a good quality creating a pleasant domestic environment. There are a range of communal areas and a sensory room and soft play room in the main building where young people can be stimulated or relax. Bedrooms are personalised to taste. A young person commented 'I like it here. I have a big West Ham poster in my bedroom'. Each of the three areas has an enclosed garden and the playground has a good range of play equipment.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The promotion of equality and diversity is good. Ethnic and cultural needs are identified in IPCPs and advise from parents is sought about meeting specific needs. Young people are supported to learn about different cultures, religions and ways of life. A culturally diverse menu is available with young people encouraged to try new foods. Young people are supported in religious observation when required. The school has a presence in the local community with young people accessing local facilities regularly. A parent commented, 'It is difficult for young 7 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241 people to contribute positively in their community but staff ensure that they are not 'shut away' from the outside world and have a community presence'.

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Organisation

Young people, parents and carers are given good information about the services provided. The Statement of Purpose gives a good description of the facilities and services. A simplified young person's guide is available in an easy-to-read format with symbols.

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Organisation

Young people receive support from well-trained staff. The school has a very strong commitment to staff development with excellent training opportunities available. Shift patterns allow each staff team to be allocated a designated training day every three weeks. A training team co-ordinates the training plan with the training centre being situated across the road from the school. Staff describe training opportunities as 'fantastic'. New staff undertake a thorough induction and foundation programme which prepares them for their role and praise the support offered from senior staff and mentors. Staff are expected to commence a National Vocational Qualification at Level 3 on completion of the foundation programme. Staff are deployed in three teams each having a team leader and deputy. Staffing levels are high and reflect the complex needs of young people, enabling excellent levels of support and supervision to be

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Organisation

provided. Although there has been some staff turnover lately, staff say that this has not affected staffing levels or skill mix. The operation of the home is monitored through monthly audits conducted by the manager to review and improve standards of care and welfare with key documentation being regularly reviewed. Young people have secure records of their progress which are securely stored.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Due date Action Standard

1 August 2009 ensure that any notification made in accordance with this regulation which is given orally shall be confirmed in writing (Regulation 30.3).

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Recommendations

There are no recommendations. 8 of 8 Inspection Report: SC034241

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